We all love the pavilions of Epcot for different reasons and we all have our favorites. In our Mousekejournals series, “Pavilions of Epcot,” we’ve explored many pavilions and heard from some of our favorite writers. Now I get to share my favorite pavilion at Epoct – Japan!
Explaining why Japan is my favorite pavilion is easy – I lived there. While I was in 4th through 6th grade I was fortunate enough to live on Okinawa. While I was there I fell in love with the people, the landscapes, the food, the art, everything. I consider those three years to be three of the best years of my life (at least pre-adult), so every time I walk into the Japan pavilion, it all comes rushing back to me. Everything about the pavilion does it too: colors, smells, textures, its all there. There are two things about the pavilion that really take me back: Mitsukoshi department store and Teppan Edo.
While the Mitsukoshi department store doesn’t look much like the stores I shopped in while I lived in Japan, they still make me feel like I’m back shopping for my favorite treats. This is especially true towards the back of the store where they sell candy and snacks. Here I can replenish my supply of rock candy and (a family favorite) Super Lemons. It has become a tradition to buy a bag of these sour delights, go out to the gardens, and each pop one in at the same time. The faces are classic and what’s worse is you’re trying to keep this sour lemon in while you’re laughing uncontrollably at the people around you. Some day if I’m brave enough I’ll supply a video.
During our time in Japan, our favorite restaurant to celebrate any occasion was called Capital Steakhouse. The chef would prepare in front of you, an amazing (I can’t stress that word enough) meal consisting of Kobe beef, garlic bread, potatoes, and vegetables. You would leave completely stuffed every time. Additionally, the cooks and staff were so great and entertaining, the meal could have bad and we’d still have a great time. Enter Teppan Edo. We’ve tried many similar style restaurants over the years, but Teppan Edo is the closest we have come in quality, taste, and service to what we got back on Okinawa.
At the end of the day, my favorite thing to do at the Japan pavilion is grab a bowl of udon noodles and shrimp tempura from Katsura Grill, sit on the bench running around the outside of the restaurant, look at the yards, relax and imagine I am sitting back in Japan.
If Japan is your favorite Epcot pavilion, I’d love to know why!
